Emerging adulthood is one of the most exciting—and overwhelming—stages of life. It’s a period full of firsts: first real job, first big financial decisions, first major relationships, first independent health choices. These years are a launchpad for the decades to come, and the decisions you make now can either accelerate your growth or create challenges you’ll need to correct later.

The good news? At this stage, you have a powerful advantage: time. With 70–80 years of adulthood ahead, you can afford to take calculated risks, experiment, and course-correct—something that becomes harder later in life. The key is making these bold choices brilliantly, not recklessly.

Financial Risks: Start Bold, But Plan Smart

One of the biggest mistakes emerging adults make is assuming they have “plenty of time” to save. While that’s technically true, early action compounds—literally. Saving even modest amounts in your 20s can grow exponentially by retirement due to compound interest.

ABarron’s study found younger investors are more willing to take risks with their portfolios, embracing tech stocks, crypto, and new industries. That’s not inherently bad—at this age, higher-risk investments can make sense because you have time to recover from market downturns. But brilliance means balancing boldness with basics:

• Build an emergency fund (3–6 months of expenses).
• Max out employer-matched retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs.
• Use riskier investments for a portion of your portfolio, not the whole thing.

Apps likeFidelity Spire orM1 Finance help automate saving and investing, while budgeting tools likeYNAB teach money discipline early.

Health: Push Your Limits, But Lay a Foundation

Your 20s are prime time to experiment physically—try new sports, train for marathons, travel light, even pull the occasional all-nighter. But neglecting health now sets up problems later. Research shows habits formed before age 30—like regular exercise and balanced nutrition—predict long-term health outcomes and even longevity.

A brilliant approach combines adventure with prevention:

• Get annual checkups and baseline bloodwork; don’t ignore small symptoms.
• Incorporate strength training and flexibility to support aging muscles and joints.
• Learn about sleep hygiene—8 hours now sets the tone for mental and physical resilience.

Apps likeMyFitnessPal andWHOOP help track nutrition, sleep, and fitness goals.

Relationships: Explore Widely, Build Deeply

Emerging adulthood is also about relationships—romantic, platonic, and professional. Friendships formed now can last a lifetime, and early romantic partnerships can set patterns (good or bad) for decades.

The key is intentional exploration:

• Seek people who share your values, not just your interests.
• Learn to communicate openly—skills you’ll need for marriages, parenting, and lifelong friendships.
• Network professionally; mentors found now often guide career pivots decades later.

Communities likeMeetup orBumble BFF can help you expand your circles beyond college or work.

Why This Stage Matters for the 100-Year Life

Many emerging adults feel like “real life” starts later—after school, after marriage, after buying a house. But the truth is, real life is already happening. The habits and mindsets you form now shape your ability to navigate future transitions—career pivots, family changes, health challenges—with confidence and resilience.

Being brilliant at this stage means:

• Experimenting with purpose (try things, but reflect on what’s working).
• Building foundational habits (health, saving, self-awareness).
• Challenging limiting beliefs (you don’t have to follow someone else’s timeline).

If you’re in your 20s, what’s the boldest decision you’ve made—and how did it shape you? If you’re older, what do you wish you’d done differently in this stage? Share your thoughts and learn from others in theAge Brilliantly Forum.

This article is part of our ongoing series on age-informed decision-making across the 8 Life Essentials.
 Read the first article here: Make the Right Moves at the Right Time: Why Age-Informed Decisions Create Brilliant Lives and stay tuned for the next installment on midlife decision-making—how to reassess purpose, health, and relationships at 40–60.